When Should I Schedule a Newborn Photo Session?

I’m Pregnant! When Should I Schedule a Newborn Photo Session?

Newborn photography captures a special time in a baby’s life that can never be replicated. It’s a time when they’re changing and growing so rapidly, and every day is a new adventure. When my girls were newborns, I remember being amazed every single day at the changes in them! Getting to know these precious new babies (and their parents) in my Wauwatosa studio is absolutely one of my favorite things to photograph.

It does not matter if this is the first baby or if you are adding on to your family; I’d love to capture this amazing time of your lives for you!

When Should You Book a Newborn Photography Session?

The general rule of thumb is the sooner, the better, but I also want you to feel comfortable scheduling the session. The second trimester is a good time to schedule. If you are further along than that, then that’s totally fine too.

Because I only take a limited number of newborns per month, booking early will ensure that you get a place on my “baby watch list” calendar. The watch list that I keep tells me the baby due date. Because babies come when they want, once baby arrives, we then schedule the session date.

A typical booking would look like this:

• Baby is due March 3, so she’s on my March “baby watch” calendar
• Baby arrives a little early, on Feb 27
• Mom texts me to tell me of her arrival on Feb 28.
• I text back with a few dates for sessions dates. Days 10-15 I have found to be the best time to photograph. I hold these dates for 24 hours for you to choose.
• Mom chooses March 7, and the session is scheduled
  

What if My Baby is Already Here and I’m Searching for a Newborn Photographer?

If you’ve just had a baby congratulations! I may be able to get them in, depending on how the watch list for the month is looking. Contact me, and I’ll do my best to fit you in!

When is the Ideal Age for Newborn Photography Sessions?

Ideally, I like to do newborn sessions within the first few weeks or so after birth (between 10-15 days). When baby is still very sleepy, squishy and easily goes into very curled up poses because they mimic their positioning in the womb.

However, if this time frame has passed for any reason, I still encourage you to have a lifestyle newborn session or an all wrapped up studio newborn session. These can be done within the first month of birth and will be just as special to you. The poses will be slightly different, but the tiny little details of their hands, faces, and mouths are just as sweet.

Where Are Newborn Sessions Held?

Many clients opt to do sessions in my studio in Wauwatosa, but I also offer in-home and outdoor lifestyle sessions. I really believe that a successful session depends on what works well for you and your family. We’ll discuss the kind of session that you want before you book!

Pre-Session Consultation

I believe this is the “secret sauce” of making your experience having your newborn photographed and the resulting photos great; the pre-session consultation. It’s really important to me that you feel you are making the right choice by choosing me to document this important time in your life.

I like to take this time to talk to you about everything and anything related to your baby before I ever lift my camera. If you have any concerns about how the session may affect you or your baby, I am happy to listen and let you know what you can expect. My own pregnancy and birth experience had quite a bit of trauma attached to it, so I am always aware that for some, the idea of photos seems great right up until the point they hand their baby over to someone who is not family.

You’ll have the opportunity to see the studio, talk about clothing choices, and take a look at the products and wall art available. We’ll take time to get to know each other, and you can ask any questions you like. I want this to be a safe and welcoming space for you and your baby and any family members that are present. 

Related: Newborn Sessions; how to plan

My Newborn Photography Style

My style is very calm, natural, and baby-focused. I never put babies into poses that are uncomfortable for them or that they are resistant to. Instead, I focus on showing them as they are; tiny, beautiful, and full of little details that change so quickly.

I love to take macro detail shots of their eyelashes, tiny noses, lips, and feet! Some of the photos you will see featured are composites, such as the images with beautiful floral wreaths around the babies. I prefer to do these composites on the computer rather than in-camera, both for the baby’s safety and because they do take quite a bit of time to get the baby positioned correctly.

The sessions are tailored to your baby’s comfort, and I take their lead on what makes them feel safe and secure. For that reason, I never guarantee specific poses, but you can expect that I will do as many different looks as the baby allows without putting them through any stress.

Newborn photos are always hand-assisted, the baby is the boss, and everything in the studio is washable. That’s the three most important things you need to know about a newborn session!

Studio Safety and Protocols

Your baby’s safety is always paramount in my mind at all times. I am fully vaccinated (Tdapp/flu/Covid), and I do mask when holding your baby and during the session for your baby’s health. I ask that anyone entering my studio screens themselves and their family for any health issues before the session, and if anyone is sick, I will reschedule the session.

You would be the only newborn sessions for the day, which allows plenty of time without rushing for feedings and breaks, and also allows me to sanitize the studio between sessions thoroughly.

Newborn Safety During the Photo Session

While I  photograph your baby, I hope you take some time to relax! You will be nearby, and I will ask if I need anything from you. There are coffee snacks; you can watch me work….or maybe take a well-deserved nap! All the flow posing is done on a secure table, and I use various safe posing measures and safety posers.

During the session, If your baby doesn’t like what I am doing, I move on to make sure they are comfortable. There will be a space heater nearby if needed during the session, and your baby’s breathing and body temperature will be monitored. 

Props and Clothing for Newborn Photography Sessions

When we meet for your pre-session consultation, you’ll have a chance to see all of the adorable, classic, and timeless props and clothing I have available for your session. My props and styling are very modern and baby-focused so that the photos center around them rather than props.

Please feel free to bring clothing, family heirlooms, special momentos, or props you would like included to the pre-session consultation so I can see them before the session. Think simple, timeless, and muted colors for babies.

All of the outfits, wraps, and props in the studio are available for your session. Many items are creations I have knitted myself!

What if My Baby Won’t Sleep?

Please do not worry about this!  Newborn babies sleep a lot, and they can sleep through a surprising amount of handling and noise. I have many baby-whispering tricks to get them to settle. However, if your little one is a bit resistant, leave it to me. 

Specific Requests for Photos

If there is a particular image you have seen of my work and have loved, then I’d love to hear about it! I welcome your inspiration for colors, looks, and styling for your photos. If you’ve been inspired by another photographer, that’s fine too. I won’t explicitly copy someone else’s work, but I do like to know why you like that photo and how it makes you feel so I can keep that in mind as I am styling your session. 

Can I have Family/Sibling Photos Too?

Of course! During your pre-session consultation, we’ll talk about this. Again, think timeless and classic for clothing, with no stripes, heavy patterns, or logos. I’ll then match the baby’s outfit to yours. For moms, if you’re struggling with what to wear, I also have a client closet available to look through.

Each family has different dynamics, so we talk through that before the session as well. For some active toddlers, it may be best to do their photos first, then move on to family and have the baby’s photos last.

If you are having family photos done, it can be helpful if you have a friend/nanny/grandparent attend to take the little kids home after we are done with their photos so you can relax during the baby photos. If you’d rather have your kids stay, that is totally fine as well! I have a large TV with Disney Plus and Netflix available for them to enjoy

My Editing Style

All the photos you will see will be edited for color and tonality of the skin, with light retouching for blemishes for a natural but not overly processed look.

How Will I Choose My Photos?

A few weeks after your session, you’ll come back into the studio for your photo reveal! Please make sure that all the decision-makers are present because you will be placing our order at this time.

We’ll look at the photos together, and I can assist with how to best display your precious photos.  You’ll be amazed when you get them to see how much your baby has grown in this short time!

Learn how I help you plan for wall art

My Favorite Ways to Display Newborn Photos

I love showing off the different ways to display photos when we meet at the pre-session consultation and again at the photo reveal.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Legacy Album

This is my favorite “grow with me” piece. The box is magnetic, so you can create a library over time to add in beautifully matted album prints.

Signature Frame

This frame can hold up to three of the same size prints, so they can be rotated through per season or store prints if your family size increases and you want to update that family portrait over the mantel.

Average Investment for Newborn Photography

This varies greatly by family and their needs, but a typical spend is about $1500 for an album and digital files. My product range starts at $450-3000.

Newborn Photography in Wauwatosa

If you’re expecting and looking for a newborn photographer, I’d love to speak with you! I know this is a special and exciting time for you, and I’d love to hear about your upcoming addition to your family and discuss photographing them. Simply get in touch, and I’m happy to share more photos or information about my newborn photography sessions.